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This Is Me--2019 A to Z Theme

The Challenge of 2019 was the 10th! Since this was kind of a milestone year for A to Z my theme was a retrospective of sorts, looking at my 10 years as a blogger as well as ruminations about my life as it is and as I hope it yet can be. I've got places to be and people to see along the way. Hope you'll join me for this part of my journey...

Always a work in progress--welcome to my blog.

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Wednesday, February 6, 2019

The Pursuit of Creativity (#IWSG)

I don't have any skeletons in my closet--there isn't any room for them...

The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Join us on the first Wednesday of each month in Alex J. Cavanaugh'sInsecure Writer's Support Group--a forum of writers who gather to talk about writing and the writer's life. For a complete list of participants visit Alex's Blog.

February 6 question - Besides writing what other creative outlets do you have?

There are so many creative directions that I could go that sometimes I become overwhelmed. That's the story of my life though: My sense of focus often splinters in many directions. At times I might juggle, play one of my instruments, or sit down and write. I'm pretty good at mapping things out like trips. I love planning trips. I like taking the trips even more. Travel can be very creative as well as inspiring creativity.

Mostly if I'm doing anything that is creative, it's thinking about stuff. I'm pretty good at thinking. Unfortunately most of my ideas over the years never panned out to become anything significant. And I've come up with some pretty good ideas in my life.

I've always been a dreamer more than an action man. Some of my dreams might have seemed outlandish to some, but oddly enough many of those dreams have come into being. However, dreams and ideas are different things. Dreams are ignited by ideas and fueled by the will to succeed. Sometimes dreams just happen and I just enjoy the ride.

Creativity can be a spiritual tool that we use to tune up our inner selves or a bag of tricks that we hope might dazzle others. Creativity can be a solitary experience or something to be shared with the masses.

There are so many creative pursuits we can turn to in life. If nothing else then let me be creative in my honing the organization of my home and my life. Finding creative ways to reorganize my closets has been a recent project of mine. Life has been good. And my closets look much better.

Do you try to be creative with everyday typically mundane things? Has blogging been a force to enhance your own creativity? What is an unfulfilled dream that you'd like to pursue?

I always wanted to learn to knit and finally bought some yarn, watched several YouTube videos and got started. Now it's hard to find the time to continue. Someday I'd like to learn how to play the guitar.

Your creative legacy lives on in the Blogosphere with the A to Z Challenge, Lee! Congrats on getting your closets reorganized as well. We are trying to do the same. It's a long process. ☺ I've always wanted to publish a book or two, but the process seems so daunting! The blog will do, for now.

My long-unfulfilled dream is having a small hobby farm on a few acres of land. I ultimately would like to make aliyah (move to Israel) and live in Lower Galilee, which is not only a very peaceful, beautiful region, but also has a lot of farmland.

Arlee - you ask if blogging has been a creative force. It sure has for me. A novel requires extended focus on single story, while a blog post can lead wherever that day's idea takes you. In the midst of a long, drawn out story I enjoy the creative change-of-pace a blog offers.

I blog, but I haven't thought of that as particulary creative. I do design book covers for my stories and I really enjoy doing that. Happily, I am now writing full time, so I am finally realizing that unfulfilled dream.

Sometimes I think we get so used to the creativity in things that we do that we just accept things like blogging as sort of routine. It's still creative in my opinion. I wish you all the best with your future writing.

I'm an ideas person, too. And a creative problem-solver, now that I think about it. So, yes, I guess I'm creative in that way, trying to find new or faster or better or more environmentally sound ways of doing things.

Raimey, you and I are kindred spirits in this respect. Sometimes my quest for doing things better is rooted in my own laziness--I don't want to waste more time or effort than necessary in getting things done.

An unfulfilled dream, being a drummer. I'm still trying to talk myself into taking lessons at a local music store. How silly is that!Other dream is getting a PHD. But damn the expense!But I'm currently working on a new one and fingers crossed I'll have achieved it in less than a month. Yay!Wishing you all success in fulfilling all your dreams!

Yolanda, pursuing all dreams is not always practical, but still the dreaming can be the impetus to live a more fulfilling life. I also think that it's never too late though it's good to know if we are wasting time, energy, and resources.

Great post, Arlee. Organizing closets is definitely a creative endeavor. My dream is to be able to really supplement the income by making how-to crafting videos and the like. I'd love to be able to work in my craft room all day.

Love your quote about dreams. We all have dreams and i always wished for living somewhere in Germany or Austria-in the mountains or the foothills. I want to write that book about my mom and that is something I can do if I get my ass in gear. I love creating cards, bookmarks and scrapbooks which you are aware of. I do love organizing stuff so congrats on your closets.

I believe dreams are the driving force behind creativity. Therefore, if you’re still dreaming when creative clean-up is complete, we’re all in for more of your infallible inspiration! I look eagerly forward ;-)

As you may recall, if not for a chance view of one of your blogs, I might never have considered blogging myself. I’m truly glad I did because blogging is both a creative exercise, and an outlet for sharing.

Am I creative with everyday typically mundane things? Well, I don't know that I think of it that way, but other people are fascinated when I do things like make my own arrows. I think of it as "how to get food," they see it as an artistic skill.

Blogging has been good for my creativity. I have you and the team from years ago to thank for that, since the challenge is why I made a blog. I have to creatively think of ways to make new posts every month.

Unfulfilled dreams are mostly related to writing, publishing, and selling books. I'm working on it! One word at a time.

Hi Lee - creativity dwells in all of us ... or juggles out of some people! As the others have said - your legacy is here ... and around - I'm sure many of us stemmed out of your ideas, which others helped crystalise ... cheers for now - Hilary

Go ahead and say something. Don't be afraid to speak your mind.I normally try to respond to all comments in the comment section so please remember to check the "Email follow-up comments" box if you want to participate in the comment conversation.

For Battle of the Bands voting the "Anonymous" commenting option has been made available though this version is the least preferred. If voting using "anonymous" please include in your comment your name (first only is okay) and city you are voting from and the reason you chose the artist you did.

If you know me and want to comment but don't want to do it here, then you can send me an email @ jacksonlee51 at aol dot com.

A to Z 2019!!

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A juggler of words and phrases. My main blog is Tossing It Out. The focus blog for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge can now be found at a-to-zchallenge.com where updates will be posted until the event in April begins.
Wrote By Rote is about memoir writing.
A Few Words is my Sunday contemplation blog.
A Faraway View is about dreams. Pick what you like or look at them all. I love blogging!